Memory device with gallium nitride or gallium aluminum nitride gate

ABSTRACT

A floating gate transistor has a reduced barrier energy at an interface between a gallium nitride (GaN) or gallium aluminum nitride (GaAlN) floating gate an adjacent gate insulator, allowing faster charge transfer across the gate insulator at lower voltages. Data is stored as charge on the floating gate. The data charge retention time on the floating gate is reduced. The data stored on the floating gate is dynamically refreshed. The floating gate transistor provides a dense and planar dynamic electrically alterable and programmable read only memory (DEAPROM) cell adapted for uses such as for a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) or a dynamically refreshed flash EEPROM memory. The floating gate transistor provides a high gain memory cell and low voltage operation.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 09/140,978 filed onAug. 27, 1998, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,307,775 on Oct. 23, 2001,which is a Divisional of U.S. Ser. No. 08/902,098, filed Jul. 29, 1997now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,031,263 on Feb. 29, 2000.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to integrated circuittechnology, including dynamic random access memories (DRAMs) andelectrically erasable and programmable read only memories (EEPROMS), andpartly, but not by way of limitation, to a floating gate transistormemory that is dynamically electrically alterable and programmable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Dynamic random access memories (DRAMs) are data storage devices thatstore data as charge on a storage capacitor. A DRAM typically includesan array of memory cells. Each memory cell includes a storage capacitorand an access transistor for transferring charge to and from the storagecapacitor. Each memory cell is addressed by a word line and accessed bya bit line. The word line controls the access transistor such that theaccess transistor controllably couples and decouples the storagecapacitor to and from the bit line for writing and reading data to andfrom the memory cell.

The storage capacitor must have a capacitance that is large enough toretain a charge sufficient to withstand the effects of parasiticcapacitances, noise due to circuit operation, and access transistorreverse-bias junction leakage currents between periodic data refreshes.Such effects can result in erroneous data. Obtaining a large capacitancetypically requires a storage capacitor having a large area. However, amajor goal in DRAM design is to minimize the area of a DRAM memory cellto allow cells to be more densely packed on an integrated circuit die sothat more data can be stored on smaller integrated circuits.

In achieving the goal of increasing DRAM array capacity by increasingcell density, the sufficient capacitance levels of the DRAM storagecapacitors must be maintained. A “stacked storage cell” design canincrease the cell density to some degree. In this technique, two or morecapacitor conductive plate layers, such as polycrystalline silicon(polysilicon or poly), are deposited over a memory cell accesstransistor on a semiconductor wafer. A high dielectric constant issandwiched between these capacitor plate layers. Such a capacitorstructure is known as a stacked capacitor cell (STC) because the storagecapacitor plates are stacked on top of the access transistor. However,formation of stacked capacitors typically requires complicated processsteps. Stacked capacitors also typically increase topographical featuresof the integrated circuit die, making subsequent lithography andprocessing, such as for interconnection formation, more difficult.Alternatively, storage capacitors can be formed in deep trenches in thesemiconductor substrate, but such trench storage capacitors also requireadditional process complexity. There is a need in the art to furtherincrease memory storage density without adding process complexity oradditional topography.

Electrically erasable and programmable read only memories (EEPROMs)provide nonvolatile data storage, EEPROM memory cells typically usefield-effect transistors (FETs) having an electrically isolated(floating) gate that affects conduction between source and drain regionsof the FET. A gate dielectric is interposed between the floating gateand an underlying channel region between source and drain regions. Acontrol gate is provided adjacent to the floating gate, separatedtherefrom by an intergate dielectric.

In such memory cells, data is represented by charge stored on thepolysilicon floating gates, such as by hot electron injection orFowler-Nordheim tunneling during a write operation. Fowler-Nordheimtunneling is typically used to remove charge from the polysiliconfloating gate during an erase operation. However, the relatively largeelectron affinity of the polysilicon floating gate presents a relativelylarge tunneling barrier energy at its interface with the underlying gatedielectric. The large tunneling barrier energy provides longer dataretention times than realistically needed. For example, a data chargeretention time at 85° C. is estimated to be in millions of years forsome floating gate memory devices. The large tunneling barrier energyalso increases the voltages and time needed to store and remove chargeto and from the polysilicon floating gate. “Flash” EEPROMs, which havean architecture that allows the simultaneous erasure of many floatinggate transistor memory cells, require even longer erasure times toaccomplish this simultaneous erasure. The large erasure voltages neededcan result in hole injection into the gate dielectric. This can causeerratic overerasure, damage to the gate dielectric, and introduction oftrapping states in the gate dielectric. The high electric fields thatresult from the large erasure voltages can also result in reliabilityproblems, leading to device failure. There is a need in the art toobtain floating gate transistors that allow the use of lower programmingand erasure voltages and shorter programming and erasure times.

References

B. Dipert et al., “Flash Memory Goes Mainstream,” IEEE Spectrum, pp.48-52 (Oct. 1993);

S.M. Sze, “Physics of Semiconductor Devices,” John Wiley & Sons, NewYork (1969), p. 496;

S.R. Pollack et al., “Electron Transport Through Insulating Thin Films,”Applied Solid State Science, Vol. 1, Academic Press, New York, (1969),p. 354;

D.A. Baglee, “Characteristics and Reliability of 100 Å Oxides,” Proc.22nd Reliability Symposium, (1984), p. 152;

V.M. Bermudez et al. “The Growth and Properties of Al and AlN films onGaN” J. Appl. Physics, Vol. 79, pp. 110-119 (1996).

I. Akasaki et al. “Effects of AlN Buffer Layer on CrystallographicStructure and On Electrical and Optical Properties of GaN andGa_(1−x)Al_(x)N Films Grown on Sapphire Substrate by MOVPE,” J. OfCrystal Growth, Vol. 98, pp. 209-19, North Holland, Amsterdam (1989);

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention includes a memory cell that allows the use oflower programming and erasure voltages and shorter programming anderasure times by providing a gallium nitride (GaN) or gallium aluminumnitride (GaAlN) storage electrode for storing charge. According to oneaspect of the invention, the storage electrode provides a barrierenergy, with an adjacent insulator, of less than approximately 3.3 eV,which provides improved erase times or voltages.

In one embodiment, the memory cell includes a floating gate transistor,having a GaN or GaAlN floating gate. A refresh circuit allows dynamicrefreshing of charge stored on the floating gate. The barrier energy canbe lowered to a desired value by selecting the appropriate materialcomposition of the floating gate. As a result, lower programming anderasure voltages and shorter programming and erasure times are obtained.

Another aspect of the present invention provides a method of using afloating gate transistor having a reduced barrier energy between afloating gate electrode and an adjacent insulator. Data is stored bychanging the charge of the floating gate. Data is refreshed based on adata charge retention time established by the barrier energy between theGaN or GaAlN floating gate and the adjacent insulator. Data is read bydetecting a conductance between a source and a drain. The largetransconductance gain of the memory cell of the present inventionprovides a more easily detected signal and reduces the required datastorage capacitance value and memory cell size when compared to aconventional dynamic random access memory (DRAM) cell.

The present invention also includes a method of forming a floating gatetransistor. Source and dram regions are formed. A gate insulator isformed. A GaN or GaAlN floating gate is formed, such that the floatinggate is isolated from conductors and semiconductors. In one embodiment,the floating gate is formed by metal organic chemical vapor deposition(MOCVD). In another embodiment, the floating gate is formed byplasma-enhanced molecular beam epitaxy (PEMBE). The GaN or GaAlNfloating gate provides a relatively short data charge retention time,but advantageously provides a shorter write/programming and erase times,making operation of the present memory speed competitive with a DRAM.

The present invention also includes a memory device that is capable ofproviding short programming and erase times, low programming and erasevoltages, and lower electric fields in the memory cell for improvedreliability. The memory device includes a plurality of memory cells.Each memory cell includes a transistor. Each transistor includes asource region, a drain region, a channel region between the source anddrain regions, and a GaN or GaAlN floating gate that is separated fromthe channel region by an insulator. The transistor also includes acontrol gate located adjacent to the floating gate and separatedtherefrom by an intergate dielectric. According to one aspect of theinvention, a refresh circuit is provided. The memory device includesflash electrically erasable and programmable read only memory (EEPROM),dynamic random access memory (DRAM), and dynamically electricallyalterable and programmable read only memory (DEAPROM) embodiments.

The memory cell of the present invention provides a reduced barrierenergy, large transconductance gain, an easily detected signal andreduces the required data storage capacitance value and memory cellsize. The lower barrier energy increases tunneling current and alsoadvantageously reduces the voltage required for writing and erasing thefloating gate transistor memory cells. For example, conventionalpolysilicon floating gate transistors typically require complicated andnoisy on-chip charge pump circuits to generate the large erasurevoltage, which typically far exceeds other voltages required on theintegrated circuit. The present invention allows the use of lowererasure voltages that are more easily provided by simpler on-chipcircuits. Reducing the erasure voltage also lowers the electric fields,minimizing reliability problems that can lead to device failure, andbetter accommodating downward scaling of device dimensions.Alternatively, the thickness of the gate insulator can be increased fromthe typical thickness of a silicon dioxide gate insulator to improvereliability or simplify processing, since the lower barrier energyallows easier transport of charge across the gate insulator byFowler-Nordheim tunneling.

According to another aspect of the invention, the shorter retention timeof data charges on the GaN or GaAlN floating electrode, resulting fromthe smaller barrier energy, is accommodated by refreshing the datacharges on the floating electrode. By decreasing the data chargeretention time and periodically refreshing the data, the write and eraseoperations can be several orders of magnitude faster such that thepresent memory is speed competitive with a DRAM. In this respect, thememory operates similar to a memory cell in DRAM but avoids the processcomplexity, additional space needed, and other limitations of formingstacked or trench DRAM capacitors.

The memory cell of the present invention can be made smaller than aconventional DRAM memory cell. Moreover, because the storage capacitorof the present invention is integrally formed as part of the transistor,rather than requiring complex and costly non-CMOS stacked and trenchcapacitor process steps, the memory of the present invention should becheaper to fabricate than DRAM memory cells, and should more easilyscale downward as CMOS technology advances.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, like numerals describe substantially similar componentsthroughout the several views.

FIG. 1 is a simplified schematic/block diagram illustrating generallyone embodiment of a memory including reduced barrier energy floatingelectrode memory cells.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view that illustrates generally a floatinggate transistor embodiment of a memory cell provided by the presentinvention.

FIG. 3 is an energy band diagram that illustrates generally conductionband energy levels in a floating gate transistor provided by the presentinvention.

FIG. 4 is a graph comparing barrier energy vs. tunneling distance for aconventional floating gate transistor and one embodiment of a thepresent invention having a lower barrier energy.

FIG. 5 is a graph that illustrates generally the relationship betweenFowler-Nordheim tunneling current density vs. the barrier energy Φ_(GI)at various parameterized values E₁<E₂<E₃ of an electric field.

FIG. 6 illustrates generally how the barrier energy affects the timeneeded to perform write and erase operations by Fowler-Nordheimtunneling for a particular voltage.

FIG. 7 is a graph that illustrates generally charge density vs.write/erase time for three different embodiments of a floating gate FET.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view, similar to FIG. 2, but having a largerarea control gate—floating gate capacitor tan the floatinggate—substrate capacitor.

FIG. 9A is a schematic diagram, labeled prior art, that illustratesgenerally a conventional DRAM memory cell.

FIG. 9B is a schematic diagram that illustrates generally one embodimentof a floating gate FET memory cell according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following detailed description of the invention, reference ismade to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in whichis shown, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which theinvention may be practiced. In the drawings, like numerals describesubstantially similar components throughout the several views. Theseembodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilledin the art to practice the invention. Other embodiments may be utilizedand structural, logical, and electrical changes may be made withoutdeparting from the scope of the present invention. The teems wafer andsubstrate used in the following description include anysemiconductor-based structure having an exposed surface with which toform the integrated circuit structure of the invention. Wafer andsubstrate are used interchangeably to refer to semiconductor structuresduring processing, and may include other layers that have beenfabricated thereupon. Both wafer and substrate include doped and undopedsemiconductors, epitaxial semiconductor layers supported by a basesemiconductor or insulator, as well as other semiconductor structureswell known to one skilled in the art. The following detailed descriptionis, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of thepresent invention is defined only by the appended claims.

The present invention discloses a memory cell such as, for example, adynamic electrically alterable programmable read only memory (DEAPROM)cell. The memory cell has a floating electrode, which is defined as anelectrode that is “electrically isolated” from conductors andsemiconductors by an insulator such that charge storage upon and removalfrom the floating electrode depends upon charge conduction through theinsulator. In one embodiment, described below, the floating electrode isa floating gate electrode in a floating gate field-effect transistor,such as used in flash electrically erasable and programmable read onlymemories (EEPROMs). However, a capacitor or any other structure having afloating electrode and adjacent insulator could also be used accordingto the techniques of the present invention described below. According toone aspect of the present invention, a barrier energy between thefloating electrode and the insulator is lower than the barrier energybetween polycrystalline silicon (polysilicon) and silicon dioxide(SiO₂), which is approximately 3.3 eV. According to another aspect ofthe present invention, the shorter retention time of data charges on thefloating electrode, resulting from the smaller barrier energy, isaccommodated by refreshing the data charges on the floating electrode.In this respect, the memory operates similar to a memory cell in adynamic random access memory (DRAM). These and other aspects of thepresent invention are described in more detail below.

FIG. 1 is a simplified schematic/block diagram illustrating generallyone embodiment of a memory 100 according to one aspect of the presentinvention, in which reduced barrier energy floating electrode memorycells are incorporated. Memory 100 is referred to as a dynamicelectrically alterable programmable read only memory (DEAPROM) in thisapplication, but it is understood that memory 100 possesses certaincharacteristics that are similar to DRAMs and flash EEPROMs, asexplained below. Memory 100 includes a memory array 105 of multiplememory cells 110. Row decoder 115 and column decoder 120 decodeaddresses provided on address lines 125 to access the addressed memorycells in memory array 105. Command and control circuitry 130 controlsthe operation of memory 100 in response to control signals received oncontrol lines 135 from a processor 140 or other memory controller duringread, write, refresh, and erase operations. Command and controlcircuitry 130 includes a refresh circuit for periodically refreshing thedata stored on the memory cells 110. Voltage control 150 providesappropriate voltages to the memory cells during read, write, refresh,and erase operations. Memory 100, as illustrated in FIG. 1, has beensimplified for the purpose of illustrating the present invention and isnot intended to be a complete description. Only the substantialdifferences between DEAPROM memory 100 and conventional DRAM and flashEEPROM memories are discussed below.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view that illustrates generally, by way ofexample, but not by way of limitation, one floating gate transistorembodiment of a memory cell 110. Other structural arrangements offloating gate transistors are included within the present invention.Also included are any memory cells that incorporate a floating electrode(such as a floating electrode capacitor) having, at an interface betweenthe floating electrode an adjacent insulator, a barrier energy that isless than the barrier energy at a polysilicon-SiO₂ interface. In theembodiment of FIG. 2, memory cell 110 includes a floating gate FET 200,which is illustrated as an n-channel FET, but understood to include ap-channel FET embodiment as well.

FET 200 includes a source 205, a drain 210, a floating gate 215electrode, and a control gate 220 electrode. A gate insulator 225 isinterposed between floating gate 215 and substrate 230. An intergateinsulator 235 is interposed between floating gate 215 and control gate220. In one embodiment, substrate 230 is a bulk semiconductor, such assilicon. In another embodiment, substrate 230 includes a thinsemiconductor surface layer formed on an underlying insulating portion,such as in a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) or other thin filmtransistor technology. Source 205 and drain 210 are formed byconventional complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) processingtechniques. Source 205 and drain 210 are separated by a predeterminedlength for forming an inversion channel 240 therebetween.

FIG. 3 is an energy band diagram that illustrates generally theconduction band energy levels in floating gate 215, gate insulator 225,and substrate 230. Electron affinities χ₂₁₅, χ₂₂₅, and χ₂₃₀, describefloating gate 215, gate insulator 225, and substrate 230, respectively,when measured with respect to a vacuum level 300. A barrier energyΦ_(GI), which describes the barrier energy at the interface betweenfloating gate 215 and gate insulator 225, is given by a difference inelectron affinities, as illustrated in Equation 1.

Φ_(GI)=χ₂₁₅−χ₂₂₅  (1)

A barrier energy Φ_(SG), which describes the barrier energy at theinterface between substrate 230 and gate insulator 225, is given by adifference in electron affinities, as illustrated in Equation 2.

Φ_(SG)=χ₂₃₀−χ₂₂₅  (2)

Silicon (monocrystalline or polycrystalline Si) has an electron affinityχ₂₁₅≈4.2 eV. Silicon dioxide (SiO₂) has an electron affinity, χ₂₂₅, ofabout 0.9 eV. The resulting barrier energy at a conventional Si—SiO₂interface between a floating gate and a gate insulator is approximatelyequal to 3.3 eV. One aspect of the present invention provides a barrierenergy Φ_(GI) that is less than the 3.3 eV barrier energy of aconventional Si—SiO₂ interface.

According to one aspect of the invention, the interface between floatinggate 215 and gate insulator 225 provides a smaller barrier energy Φ_(GI)than the 3.3 eV barrier energy at an interface between polysilicon andsilicon dioxide, such as by an appropriate selection of the materialcomposition of one or both of floating gate 215 and gate insulator 225.In one embodiment, the smaller barrier energy Φ_(GI) is obtained byforming floating gate 215 from a material having a smaller electronaffinity χ₂₁₅ than polysilicon. In one embodiment, for example,polycrystalline or microcrystalline silicon carbide (SiC) is used as thematerial for forming floating gate 215. In another embodiment, thesmaller barrier energy Φ_(GI) is obtained by forming gate insulator 225from a material having a higher electron affinity χ₂₂₅ than SiO₂. In oneembodiment, for example, amorphous SiC is used as the material forforming gate insulator 225. In yet another embodiment, the smallerbarrier energy Φ_(GI) is obtained by a combination of forming floatinggate 215 from a material having a smaller electron affinity χ₂₁₅ thanpolysilicon and also forming gate insulator 225 from a material having ahigher electron affinity χ₂₂₅ than SiO₂.

The smaller barrier energy Φ_(GI) provides current conduction acrossgate insulator 225 that is easier than for a polysilicon-SiO₂ interface.The present invention includes any mechanism of providing such easiercurrent conduction across gate insulator 225, including, but not limitedto “hot” electron injection, thermionic emission, Schottky emission,Frenkel-Poole emission, and Fowler-Nordheim tunneling. Such techniquesfor transporting charge carriers across an insulator, such as gateinsulator 225, are all enhanced by providing a smaller barrier energyΦ_(GI) according to the techniques of the present invention. Thesetechniques allow increased current conduction, current conduction atlower voltages across gate insulator 225 and lower electric fields ingate insulator 225, shorter data write and erase times, use of a thickerand more reliable gate insulator 225, and other advantages explainedbelow.

FIG. 4 is a graph illustrating generally barrier energy versus tunnelingdistance for a conventional polysilicon-SiO₂ interface having a 3.3 eVbarrier energy. FIG. 4 also illustrates barrier energy versus tunnelingdistance for an interface according to the present invention that has abarrier energy of Φ_(GI)≈1.08 eV, which is selected as an illustrativeexample, and not by way of limitation. The smaller barrier energy Φ_(GI)reduces the energy to which the electrons must be excited to be storedon or removed from the floating gate 215, such as by thermal emissionover the barrier. The smaller barrier energy Φ_(GI) also reduces thedistance that electrons have to traverse, such as by Fowler-Nordheimtunneling, to be stored upon or removed from floating gate 215. In FIG.4, “do” represents the tunneling distance of a conventional floatinggate transistor due to the 3.3 eV barrier energy represented by thedashed line “OLD”. The tunneling distance “dn” corresponds to a floatinggate transistor according to the present invention and its smallerbarrier energy, such as Φ_(GI)≈1.08 eV, for example, represented by thedashed line “NEW”. Even a small reduction in the tunneling distanceresults in a large increase in the tunneling probability, as describedbelow, because the tunneling probability is an exponential function ofthe reciprocal of the tunneling distance.

The Fowler-Nordheim tunneling current density in gate insulator 225 isillustrated approximately by Equation 3 below. $\begin{matrix}{J = {{AE}^{2}^{({- \frac{B}{E}})}}} & (3)\end{matrix}$

In Equation 3, J is the current density in units of amperes/cm², E isthe electric field in gate insulator 225 in units of volts/cm and A andB are constants, which are particular to the material of gate insulator225, that depend on the effective electron mass in the gate insulator225 material and on the barrier energy Φ_(GI). The constants A and Bscale with the barrier energy Φ_(GI), as illustrated approximately byEquations 4 and 5. $\begin{matrix}{A\quad {\alpha ( \frac{1}{\Phi_{GI}} )}} & (4) \\{B\quad {\alpha ( \Phi_{GI} )}^{\frac{3}{2}}} & (5)\end{matrix}$

For a conventional floating gate FET having a 3.3 eV barrier energy atthe interface between the polysilicon floating gate and the SiO₂ gateinsulator, A=5.5×10⁻¹⁶ amperes/Volt² and B=7.07×10⁷ Volts/cm. One aspectof the present invention includes selecting a smaller barrier energyΦ_(GI) such as, by way of example, but not by way of limitation,Φ_(GI)≈1.08 eV. The constants A and B for Φ_(GI)≈1.08 eV can beextrapolated from the constants A and B for the 3.3 eV polysilicon-SiO₂barrier energy using Equations 4 and 5. The barrier energy Φ_(GI)≈1.08eV yields the resulting constants A=1.76×10⁻¹⁵ amperes/Volt² andB=1.24×10⁷ Volts/cm.

FIG. 5 is a graph that illustrates generally the relations beFowler-Nordheim tunneling current density vs. the barrier energy Φ_(GI),such as at various parameterized values E₁<E₂<E₃ of an electric field ingate insulator 225. The tunneling current density increases as electricfield is increased. The tunneling current also increases by orders ofmagnitude as the barrier energy Φ_(GI) is decreased, such as byselecting the materials for floating gate 215 and gate insulator 225 orotherwise reducing the barrier energy Φ_(GI) according to the techniquesof the present invention. In particular, FIG. 5 illustrates a comparisonbetween tunneling current densities at the 3.3 eV barrier energy of aconventional polysilicon-SiO₂ interface and at the illustrative examplebarrier energy Φ_(GI)≈1.08 eV for which constants A and B wereextrapolated above. Reducing the 3.3 eV barrier energy to Φ_(GI)≈1.08 eVincreases the tunneling current density by several orders of magnitude.

FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram, using rough order of magnitudeestimates, that illustrates generally how the barrier energy affects thetime needed to perform write and erase operations by Fowler-Nordheimtunneling for a particular voltage, such as across gate insulator 225.FIG. 6 also illustrates how the barrier energy affects data chargeretention time, such as on floating gate 215 at a temperature of 250degrees Celsius. Both write and erase time 600 and data charge retentiontime 605 are decreased by orders of magnitude as the barrier energy isdecreased, according to the present invention, from the conventionalpolysilicon-SiO₂ interface barrier energy of 3.3 eV to the illustrativeexample lower barrier energy Φ_(GI)≈1.08 eV for which constants A and Bwere extrapolated above.

The lower barrier energy Φ_(GI) and increased tunneling currentadvantageously provides faster write and erase times. This isparticularly advantageous for “flash” EEPROMs or DEAPROMs in which manyfloating gate transistor memory cells must be erased simultaneously,requiring a longer time to transport the larger quantity of charge. Fora flash EEPROM using a polysilicon floating gate transistor having anunderlying SiO₂ gate insulator 225, the simultaneous ensure of a blockof memory cells requires a time that is on the order of milliseconds.The write and erase time of the floating gate FET 200 is illustratedapproximately by Equation 6. $\begin{matrix}{t = {{\int_{0}^{t}\quad {t}} = {\int_{0}^{Q}{( \frac{1}{J_{225} - J_{235}} )\quad {Q}}}}} & (6)\end{matrix}$

In Equation 6, t is the write/erase time, J₂₂₅ and J₂₃₅ are therespective tunneling current densities in gate dielectric 225 andintergate dielectric 235, Q is the charge density in Coulombs/cm² onfloating gate 215. Equation 6 is evaluated for a specific voltage oncontrol gate 220 using Equations 7 and 8. $\begin{matrix}{E_{225} = \frac{V_{220}}{\lbrack {d_{225} + {d_{235}( \frac{\varepsilon_{225}}{\varepsilon_{235}} )}} \rbrack - \frac{Q}{\lbrack {\varepsilon_{225} + {\varepsilon_{235}( \frac{d_{225}}{d_{235}} )}} \rbrack}}} & (7) \\{E_{235} = \frac{V_{220}}{\lbrack {d_{235} + {d_{225}( \frac{\varepsilon_{235}}{\varepsilon_{225}} )}} \rbrack + \frac{Q}{\lbrack {\varepsilon_{235} + {\varepsilon_{225}( \frac{d_{235}}{d_{225}} )}} \rbrack}}} & (8)\end{matrix}$

In Equations 7 and 8, V₂₂₀ is the voltage on control gate 220, E₂₂₅ andE₂₃₅ are the respective electric fields in gate insulator 225 andintergate insulator 235, d₂₂₅ and d₂₃₅ are the respective thicknesses ofgate insulator 225 and intergate insulator 235, and ∈₂₂₅ and ∈₂₃₅ arethe respective permittivities of gate insulator 225 and intergateinsulator 235.

FIG. 7 is a graph that illustrates generally charge density vs.write/erase time for three different embodiments of the floating gateFET 200, of which have a polysilicon floating gate 215, by way ofillustrative example. Line 700 illustrates generally, by way of example,but not by way of limitation, the charge density vs. write/erase timeobtained for a floating gate FET 200 having a 100 Å SiO₂ gate insulator225 and a 150 Å SiO₂ (or thinner oxynitride equivalent capacitance)intergate insulator 235.

Line 705 is similar to line 700 in all respects except that line 705illustrates a floating gate FET 200 in which gate insulator 225comprises a material having a higher electron affinity χ₂₂₅ than SiO₂,thereby providing a lower barrier energy Φ_(GI) at the interface betweenpolysilicon floating gate 215 and gate insulator 225. The increasedtunneling current results in shorter write/erase times than thoseillustrated by line 700.

Line 710 is similar to line 705 in all respects except that line 710illustrates a floating gate FET 200 in which gate insulator 225 has alower barrier energy Φ_(GI) than for line 705, or intergate insulator235 has a higher permittivity ∈₂₃₅ than for line 705, or control gate220 has a larger area than floating gate 215, such as illustrated by wayof example by the floating gate FET 800 in the cross-sectional view ofFIG. 8. As seen in FIG. 8, the area of a capacitor formed by the controlgate 220, the floating gate 215, and the intergate insulator 235 islarger than the area of a capacitor formed by the floating gate 215, thegate insulator 225, and the inversion channel 240 underlying gateinsulator 225. Alternatively, or in combination with the techniquesillustrated in FIG. 8, the intergate insulator 235 can have a higherpermittivity than the permittivity of silicon dioxide.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, the barrier energy Φ_(GI) can be selected toreduce the write/erase time. In one embodiment, by way of example, butnot by limitation, the barrier energy Φ_(GI) is selected to obtain awrite/erase time of less than or equal to 1 second, as illustrated inFIG. 7. In another embodiment, by way of example, but not by way oflimitation, the barrier energy Φ_(GI) is selected to obtain awrite/erase time of less than or equal to 1 millisecond, as illustratedin FIG. 7. Other values of write/erase time can also be obtained byselect the appropriate value of the barrier energy Φ_(GI).

The lower barrier energy Φ_(GI) and increased tunneling current alsoadvantageously reduces the voltage required for writing and erasing thememory cells 110. For example, conventional polysilicon floating gatetransistors typically require complicated and noisy on-chip charge pumpcircuits to generate the large erasure voltage, which typically farexceeds other voltages required on the integrated circuit. The presentinvention allows the use of lower erasure voltages that are more easilyprovided by simpler on-chip circuits. Reducing the erasure voltage alsolowers the electric fields, minimizing reliability problems that canlead to device failure, and better accommodating downward scaling ofdevice dimensions. In one embodiment, the barrier energy Φ_(GI) isselected, as described above, to obtain an erase voltage of less thanthe 12 Volts required by typical EEPROM memory cells.

Alternatively, the thickness of the gate insulator 225 can be increasedfrom the typical thickness of a silicon dioxide gate insulator toimprove reliability or simplify processing, since the lower barrierenergy Φ_(GI) allows easier transport of charge across the gateinsulator 225 by Fowler-Nordheim tunneling.

The lower barrier energy Φ_(GI) also decreases the data charge retentiontime of the charge stored on the floating gate 215, such as fromincreased thermal excitation of stored charge over the lower barrierΦ_(GI)However, conventional polysilicon floating gates and adjacent SiO₂insulators (e.g., 90 Å thick) have a data charge retention timeestimated in the millions of years at a temperature of 85 degrees C.,and estimated in the 1000 hour range even at extremely high temperaturessuch as 250 degrees C. Since such long data charge retention times arelonger than what is realistically needed, a shorter data chargeretention time can be accommodated in order to obtain the benefits ofthe smaller barrier energy Φ_(GI). In one embodiment, by way of example,but not by way of limitation, the barrier energy Φ_(GI) is lowered toΦ_(GI)≈1.08 eV by appropriately selecting the composition of the mars offloating gate 215 and gate insulator 225, as described below. As aresult, estimated data charge retention time of approximately 40 secondsat a high temperature, such as 250 degrees C., is obtained.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the data stored on thememory cell 110 is periodically refreshed at an interval that is shorterthan the data charge retention time. In one embodiment, for example, thedata is refreshed every few seconds, such as for an embodiment having ahigh temperature retention time of approximately 40 seconds forΦ_(GI)≈1.08 eV. The exact refresh rate can be experimentally determinedand tailored to a particular process of fabricating the DEAPROM. Bydecreasing the data charge retention time and periodically refreshingthe data, the write and erase operations can be several orders ofmagnitude faster, as described above with respect to FIG. 7.

FIGS. 9A and 9B are schematic diagrams that respectively illustrategenerally a conventional DRAM memory cell and the present invention'sfloating gate FET 200 embodiment of memory cell 110. In FIG. 9A, theDRAM memory cell includes an access FET 900 and stacked or trenchstorage capacitor 905. Data is stored as charge on storage capacitor 905by providing a control voltage on control line 910 to activate FET 900for conducting charge. Data line 915 provides a write voltage to conductcharge across FET 900 for storage on storage capacitor 905. Data is readby providing a control voltage on control line 910 to activate FET 900for conducting charge from storage capacitor 905, thereby incrementallychanging a preinitialized voltage on data line 915. The resulting smallchange in voltage on data line 915 must be amplified by a senseamplifier for detection. Thus, the DRAM memory cell of FIG. 9Ainherently provides only a small data signal. The small data signal isdifficult to detect.

In FIG. 9B, the memory cell 110 according to the present invention is aDEAPROM memory cell that includes floating gate FET 200, having source205 coupled to a ground voltage or other reference potential. Data isstored as charge on floating gate 215 by providing a control voltage oncontrol line 920 and a write voltage on data line 925 for hot electroninjection or Fowler-Nordheim tunneling. This is similar to conventionalEEPROM techniques, but advantageously uses the reduced voltages and/or ashorter write time of the present invention.

The DEAPROM memory cell can be smaller than the DRAM memory cell of FIG.9A, allowing higher density data storage. The leakage of charge fromfloating gate 215 can be made less than the reverse-bias junctionleakage from storage capacitor 905 of the DRAM memory cell by tailoringthe barrier energy Φ_(GI) according to the techniques of the presentinvention. Also, the DEAPROM memory cell advantageously uses the largetransconductance gain of the floating gate FET 200. The conventionalDRAM memory cell of FIG. 9A provides no such gain; it is read bydirectly transferring the data charge from storage capacitor 905. Bycontrast, the DEAPROM memory cell is read by placing a read voltage oncontrol line 920, and detecting the current conducted through FET 200,such as at data line 925. The current conducted through FET 200 changessignificantly in the presence or absence of charge stored on floatinggate 215. Thus, the present invention advantageously provides an largedata signal that is easy to detect, unlike the small data signalprovided by the conventional DRAM memory cell of FIG. 9A.

For example, the current for floating gate FET 200 operating in thesaturation region can be approximated by Equation 9. $\begin{matrix}{I_{DS} = {\frac{1}{2}\mu \quad {C_{o}( \frac{W}{L} )}( {V_{G} - V_{T}} )^{2}}} & (9)\end{matrix}$

In Equation 9, I_(DS) is the current between drain 210 and source 205,C_(o) is the capacitance per unit area of the gate insulator 225, W/L isthe width/length aspect ratio of FET 200, V_(G) is the gate voltageapplied to control gate 220, and V_(T) is the turn-on threshold voltageof FET 200.

For an illustrative example, but not by way of limitation, aminimum-sized FET having W/L=1, can yield a transconductance gain ofapproximately 71 μA/Volt for a typical process. In this illustrativeexample, sufficient charge is stored on floating gate 215 to change theeffective threshold voltage V_(T) by approximately 1.4 Volts, therebychanging the current I_(DS) by approximately 100 microamperes. Thissignificant change in current can easily be detected, such as bysampling or integrating over a time period of approximately 10nanoseconds, for example, to obtain a detected data charge signal of1000 fC. Thus, the DEAPROM memory cell is capable of yielding a detecteddata charge signal that is approximately an order of magnitude largerthan the typical 30 fC to 100 fC data charges typically stored on DRAMstacked or trench capacitors. Since DEAPROM memory cell requires asmaller capacitance value than a conventional DRAM memory cell, DEAPROMmemory cell can be made smaller than a conventional DRAM memory cell.Moreover, because the CMOS-compatible DEAPROM storage capacitor isintegrally formed as part of the transistor, rather than requiringcomplex and costly non-CMOS stacked and trench capacitor process steps,the DEAPROM memory of the present invention should be cheaper tofabricate than DRAM memory cells, and should more easily scale downwardas CMOS technology advances.

GaN and GaAlN Gate Material Embodiments

In one embodiment, the present invention provides a DEAPROM having amemory cell 110 including a FET 200 having an at least partiallycrystalline (e.g., monocrystalline, polycrystalline, microcrystalline,nanocrystalline, or combination thereof) gallium nitride (GaN) orgallium aluminum nitride (GaAlN) floating gate 215.

In one embodiment, a composition ν of a polycrystalline Ga_(1−v)Al_(v)Nfloating gate 215 is selected approximately between 0<ν<1 to obtain adesired barrier energy, as described below. The GaAlN floating gate 215provides a lower electron affinity than polysilicon. The GaAlN floatinggate 215 electron affinity can be approximately between 0.6 eV<χ₂₁₅<2.7eV as the GaAlN composition variable ν is decreased from 1 to 0. As aresult, the GaAlN floating gate 215 provides a smaller resulting barrierenergy Φ_(GI) than a polysilicon gate material having an electronaffinity χ₂₁₅≈4.2 eV. For example, using a SiO₂ gate insulator 225, abarrier energy approximately between −0.3 eV<Φ_(GI)<1.8 eV is obtainedusing an GaAlN floating gate 215 as the GaAlN composition ν variesbetween ν≈1 (i.e., approximately AlN) and ν≈0 (i.e., approximately GaN).By contrast, a conventional polysilicon floating gate material providesa barrier energy Φ_(GI)≈3.3 eV at an interface with an SiO₂ gateinsulator 225.

In one embodiment, substrate 230 is bulk silicon, although other bulksemiconductor and semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) materials could alsobe used for substrate 230 such as, for example, sapphire, galliumarsenide (GaAs), GaN, AlN, and diamond. In one embodiment, gateinsulator 225 is SiO₂, although other dielectric materials could also beused for gate insulator 225, as described above, such as amorphousinsulating GaN (a-GaN), and amorphous insulating AlN (a-AlN). The FET200 using a GaAlN floating gate 215 has mobility and turn-on thresholdvoltage (V_(T)) magnitude parameters that are advantageously influencedless by charge at SiO₂-GaAlN interface surface states than at aconventional SiO₂-polysilicon interface.

In one embodiment floating gate 215 is formed of a polycrystalline,microcrystalline, or nanocrystalline, GaN thin film that is CVDdeposited on a thin (e.g., 500 Å thick) AlN buffer layer, such as bymetal organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD), which advantageouslyyields improved crystal quality and reduced microscopic fluctuation ofcrystallite orientation.

In one embodiment, floating gate 215 is formed from a GaN film grown ina horizontal reactor operating at atmospheric pressure. Trimethylgallium (TMG), trimethylaluminum (TMA), and ammonia (NH₃) are used assource gases, and hydrogen (H₂) is used as a carrier gas. The TMG, TMA,and NH₃ are mixed just before the reactor, and the mixture is fed athigh velocity (e.g., 110 cm/s) to a slanted substrate 230 through adelivery tube. The desired GaAlN composition ν is obtained bycontrolling the concentration ratio of TMG to TMA. In one embodiment, a500 Å AlN buffer layer is obtained by growth at 600 degrees Celsius at adeposition rate of 100 Å/minute for approximately 5 minutes, then aepitaxial crystalline or polycrystalline layer of GaN is deposited at1000 degrees Celsius.

In another embodiment plasma-enhanced molecular beam epitaxy (PEMBE) isused to form a GaN or GaAlN floating gate 215, for example, by usingelectron cyclotron resonance (ECR) plasma during molecular beam epitaxy(MBE). The background pressure in the MBE chamber is typically less than10⁻¹⁰ torr. Ga flux (e.g., 99.99999% pure) is supplied by a conventionalKnudsen effusion cell. The semiconductor substrates 230 are heated to atemperature of approximately 850 degrees Celsius, and exposed to anitrogen plasma (e.g., 35 Watt plasma power level) to clean the surfaceof the substrate 230 and form a thin AlN layer thereupon. Thetemperature is then lowered to approximately 550 degrees Celsius forgrowth of a thin (e.g., 300 Å) GaN buffer layer (e.g., using 20 Wattplasma power level for growth in a low active nitrogen overpressureenvironment). The temperature is then increased, such as toapproximately 800 degrees Celsius, to form the remainder of the GaN orGaAlN film forming floating gate 215, such as at a deposition rate ofapproximately 0.22 microns/hour.

Conclusion

The present invention provides a DEAPROM cell. The memory cell has agallium nitride (GaN) or gallium aluminum nitride (GaAlN) floatingelectrode, such as a floating gate electrode in a floating gatefield-effect transistor. According to one aspect of the invention, abarrier energy between the floating electrode and the insulator is lowerthan the barrier energy between polysilicon and SiO₂, approximately 3.3eV. The memory cell also provides large transconductance gain, whichprovides a more easily detected signal and reduces the required datastorage capacitance value. According to another aspect of the invention,the shorter retention time of data charges on the floating electrode,resulting from the smaller barrier energy, is accommodated by refreshingthe data charges on the floating electrode. By decreasing the datacharge retention time and periodically refreshing the data, the writeand erase operations can be several orders of magnitude faster. In thisrespect, the memory operates similar to a memory cell in DRAM but avoidsthe process complexity, additional space needed, and other limitationsof forming stacked or trench DRAM capacitors.

Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and describedherein, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that theabove-described embodiments can be used in combination, and anyarrangement which is calculated to achieve the same purpose may besubstituted for the specific embodiment shown. This application isintended to cover any adaptations or variations of the presentinvention. Therefore, it is manifestly intended that this invention belimited only by the claims and the equivalents thereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of operating a floating gate transistorcomprising: coupling a first voltage to a source region in a substrateof a floating gate transistor; coupling a second voltage to a drainregion in the substrate separated from the source region by a channelregion in the substrate; causing charge to transfer between the channelregion and a floating gate comprising gallium nitride (GaN) or galliumaluminum nitride (GaAlN) through a silicon dioxide insulator between thechannel region and the floating gate; refreshing a charge on thefloating gate; and reading the floating gate transistor.
 2. The methodof claim 1 wherein: causing charge to transfer further comprises writingdata to the floating gate transistor or erasing data from the floatinggate transistor and causing charge to transfer across a barrier energybetween the floating gate and the silicon dioxide insulator that is lessthan approximately 3.3 eV by hot electron injection or Fowler-Nordheimtunneling to change a charge on the floating gate; coupling a firstvoltage further comprises coupling a ground voltage to an n+-type sourceregion in a silicon substrate of the floating gate transistor whenwriting data to the floating gate transistor; coupling a second voltagefurther comprises coupling a write voltage to an n+-type drain region inthe silicon substrate when writing data to the floating gate transistor;refreshing a charge on the floating gate comprises refreshing a chargeon the floating gate at an interval that is shorter than a chargeretention time of the floating gate; reading the floating gatetransistor comprises coupling a read voltage to a control gate separatedfrom the floating gate by an intergate dielectric and detecting currentconducted through the floating gate transistor; and further comprisingcoupling a control voltage to the control gate when writing data to thefloating gate transistor.
 3. A method of operating a floating gatetransistor comprising: coupling a first voltage to a source region in asubstrate of a floating gate transistor; coupling a second voltage to adrain region in the substrate separated from the source region by achannel region in the substrate; causing charge to transfer between thechannel region and a floating gate comprising gallium nitride (GaN) orgallium aluminum nitride (GaAlN) through a silicon dioxide insulatorbetween the channel region and the floating gate by coupling a controlvoltage to a control gate separated from the floating gate by anintergate dielectric; refreshing a charge on the floating gate; andreading the floating gate transistor.
 4. The method of claim 3 wherein:causing charge to transfer further comprises writing data to thefloating gate transistor or erasing data from the floating gatetransistor and causing charge to transfer across a barrier energybetween the floating gate and the silicon dioxide insulator that is lessthan approximately 3.3 eV by hot electron injection or Fowler-Nordheimtunneling to change a charge on the floating gate; coupling a firstvoltage further comprises coupling a ground voltage to an n+-type sourceregion in a silicon substrate of the floating gate transistor whenwriting data to the floating gate transistor; coupling a second voltagefurther comprises coupling a write voltage to an n+-type drain region inthe silicon substrate when writing data to the floating gate transistor;refreshing a charge on the floating gate comprises refreshing a chargeon the floating gate at an interval that is shorter than a chargeretention time of the floating gate; and reading the floating gatetransistor comprises coupling a read voltage to the control gate anddetecting current conducted through the floating gate transistor.
 5. Amethod of operating a memory cell comprising: coupling a first voltageto a source region in a substrate of a memory cell; coupling a secondvoltage to a drain region in the substrate separated from the sourceregion by a channel region in the substrate; causing charge to transferbetween the channel region and a floating gate comprising galliumnitride (GaN) or gallium aluminum nitride (GaAlN) through a silicondioxide insulator between the channel region and the floating gate;refreshing a charge on the floating gate; and reading the memory cell.6. The method of claim 5 wherein: causing charge to transfer furthercomprises writing data to the memory cell or erasing data from thememory cell and causing charge to transfer across a barrier energybetween the floating gate and the silicon dioxide insulator that is lessthan approximately 3.3 eV by hot electron injection or Fowler-Nordheimtunneling to change a charge on the floating gate; coupling a firstvoltage further comprises coupling a ground voltage to an n+-type sourceregion in a silicon substrate of the memory cell when writing data tothe memory cell; coupling a second voltage further comprises coupling awrite voltage to an n+-type drain region in the silicon substrate whenwriting data to the memory cell; refreshing a charge on the floatinggate comprises refreshing a charge on the floating gate at an intervalthat is shorter than a charge retention time of the floating gate;reading the memory cell comprises coupling a read voltage to a controlgate separated from the floating gate by an intergate dielectric anddetecting current conducted through the memory cell; and furthercomprising coupling a control voltage to the control gate when writingdata to the memory cell.
 7. A method of operating a memory cellcomprising: coupling a first voltage to a source region in a substrateof a memory cell; coupling a second voltage to a drain region in thesubstrate separated from the source region by a channel region in thesubstrate; causing charge to transfer between the channel region and afloating gate comprising gallium nitride (GaN) or gallium aluminumnitride (GaAlN) through a silicon dioxide insulator between the channelregion and the floating gate by coupling a control voltage to a controlgate separated from the floating gate by an intergate dielectric;refreshing a charge on the floating gate; and reading the memory cell.8. The method of claim 7 wherein: causing charge to transfer furthercomprises writing data to the memory cell or erasing data from thememory cell and causing charge to transfer across a barrier energybetween the floating gate and the silicon dioxide insulator that is lessthan approximately 3.3 eV by hot electron injection or Fowler-Nordheimtunneling to change a charge on the floating gate; coupling a firstvoltage further comprises coupling a ground voltage to an n+-type sourceregion in a silicon substrate of the memory cell when writing data tothe memory cell; coupling a second voltage further comprises coupling awrite voltage to an n+-type drain region in the silicon substrate whenwriting data to the memory cell; refreshing a charge on the floatinggate comprises refreshing a charge on the floating gate at an intervalthat is shorter than a charge retention time of the floating gate; andreading the memory cell comprises coupling a read voltage to the controlgate and detecting current conducted through the memory cell.
 9. Amethod of operating a memory device comprising: selecting a first memorycell from a plurality of memory cells in a memory device; coupling afirst voltage to a source region in a substrate of the first memorycell; coupling a second voltage to a drain region in the substrateseparated from the source region by a channel region in the substrate;causing charge to transfer between the channel region and a floatinggate comprising gallium nitride (GaN) or gallium aluminum nitride(GaAlN) through a silicon dioxide insulator between the channel regionand the floating gate, the floating gate being in the first memory cell;refreshing a charge on the floating gate; and selecting a second memorycell in the memory device and reading the second memory cell.
 10. Themethod of claim 9 wherein: selecting a first memory cell comprisesselecting a first memory cell from an array of memory cells in a DEAPROMmemory device; causing charge to transfer further comprises writing datato the first memory cell or erasing data from the first memory cell andcausing charge to transfer across a barrier energy between the floatinggate and the silicon dioxide insulator that is less than approximately3.3 eV by hot electron injection or Fowler-Nordheim tunneling to changea charge on the floating gate; coupling a first voltage furthercomprises coupling a ground voltage to an n+-type source region in asilicon substrate of the first memory cell when writing data to thefirst memory cell; coupling a second voltage further comprises couplinga write voltage to an n+-type drain region in the silicon substrate whenwriting data to the first memory cell; refreshing a charge on thefloating gate comprises refreshing a charge on the floating gate at aninterval that is shorter than a charge retention time of the floatinggate; selecting a second memory cell comprises selecting the firstmemory cell; reading the second memory cell comprises coupling a readvoltage to a control gate separated from the floating gate by anintergate dielectric and detecting current conducted through the firstmemory cell; and further comprising: coupling a control voltage to thecontrol gate when writing data to the first memory cell; decoding anaddress of the first memory cell in a row decoder and a column decoder;controlling read, write, erase, and refresh operations in the DEAPROMmemory device in response to control signals with a control circuit; andproviding appropriate voltages to the array from a voltage controlcircuit.
 11. A method of operating a memory device comprising: selectinga first memory cell from a plurality of memory cells in a memory device;coupling a first voltage to a source region in a substrate of the firstmemory cell; coupling a second voltage to a drain region in thesubstrate separated from the source region by a channel region in thesubstrate; causing charge to transfer between the channel region and afloating gate comprising gallium nitride (GaN) or gallium aluminumnitride (GaAlN) through a silicon dioxide insulator between the channelregion and the floating gate by coupling a control voltage to a controlgate separated from the floating gate by an intergate dielectric, thefloating gate and the control gate being in the first memory cell; andrefreshing a charge on the floating gate; and selecting a second memorycell in the memory device and reading the second memory cell.
 12. Themethod of claim 11 wherein: selecting a first memory cell comprisesselecting a first memory cell from an array of memory cells in a DEAPROMmemory device; causing charge to transfer further comprises writing datato the first memory cell or erasing data from the first memory cell andcausing charge to transfer across a barrier energy between the floatinggate and the silicon dioxide insulator that is less than approximately3.3 eV by hot electron injection or Fowler-Nordheim tunneling to changea charge on the floating gate; coupling a first voltage furthercomprises coupling a ground voltage to an n+-type source region in asilicon substrate of the first memory cell when writing data to thefirst memory cell; coupling a second voltage further comprises couplinga write voltage to an n+-type drain region in the silicon substrate whenwriting data to the first memory cell; refreshing a charge on thefloating gate comprises refreshing a charge on the floating gate at aninterval that is shorter than a charge retention time of the floatinggate; selecting a second memory cell comprises selecting the firstmemory cell; reading the second memory cell comprises coupling a readvoltage to the control gate and detecting current conducted through thefirst memory cell; and further comprising: decoding an address of thefirst memory cell in a row decoder and a column decoder; controllingread, write, erase, and refresh operations in the DEAPROM memory devicein response to control signals with a control circuit; and providingappropriate voltages to the array from a voltage control circuit.
 13. Amethod of operating a system comprising: exchanging signals between aprocessor and a memory device in a system; selecting a first memory cellfrom a plurality of memory cells in the memory device based on thesignals; coupling a first voltage to a source region in a substrate ofthe first memory cell; coupling a second voltage to a drain region inthe substrate separated from the source region by a channel region inthe substrate; causing charge to transfer between the channel region anda floating gate comprising gallium nitride (GaN) or gallium aluminumnitride (GaAlN) through a silicon dioxide insulator between the channelregion and the floating gate, the floating gate being in the firstmemory cell; refreshing a charge on the floating gate; and selecting asecond memory cell in the memory device and reading the second memorycell.
 14. The method of claim 13 wherein: exchanging signals comprisesexchanging address signals, data signals, and control signals overrespective lines coupled between a processor and a DEAPROM memory devicein a system; selecting a first memory cell comprises selecting a firstmemory cell from an array of memory cells in the DEAPROM memory devicebased on the signals; causing charge to transfer further compriseswriting data to the first memory cell or erasing data from the firstmemory cell and causing charge to transfer across a barrier energybetween the floating gate and the silicon dioxide insulator that is lessthan approximately 3.3 eV by hot electron injection or Fowler-Nordheimtunneling to change a charge on the floating gate; coupling a firstvoltage further comprises coupling a ground voltage to an n+-type sourceregion in a silicon substrate of the first memory cell when writing datato the first memory cell; coupling a second voltage further comprisescoupling a write voltage to an n+-type drain region in the siliconsubstrate when writing data to the first memory cell; refreshing acharge on the floating gate comprises refreshing a charge on thefloating gate at an interval that is shorter than a charge retentiontime of the floating gate; selecting a second memory cell comprisesselecting the first memory cell; reading the second memory cellcomprises coupling a read voltage to a control gate separated from thefloating gate by an intergate dielectric and detecting current conductedthrough the first memory cell; and further comprising: coupling acontrol voltage to the control gate when writing data to the firstmemory cell; decoding an address of the first memory cell in a rowdecoder and a column decoder; controlling read, write, erase, andrefresh operations in the DEAPROM memory device in response to thecontrol signals with a control circuit; and providing appropriatevoltages to the array from a voltage control circuit.
 15. A method ofoperating a system comprising: exchanging signals between a processorand a memory device in a system; selecting a first memory cell from aplurality of memory cells in the memory device based on the signals;coupling a first voltage to a source region in a substrate of the firstmemory cell; coupling a second voltage to a drain region in thesubstrate separated from the source region by a channel region in thesubstrate; causing charge to transfer between the channel region and afloating gate comprising gallium nitride (GaN) or gallium aluminumnitride (GaAlN) through a silicon dioxide insulator between the channelregion and the floating gate by coupling a control voltage to a controlgate separated from the floating gate by an intergate dielectric, thefloating gate and the control gate being in the first memory cell;refreshing a charge on the floating gate; and selecting a second memorycell in the memory device and reading the second memory cell.
 16. Themethod of claim 15 wherein: exchanging signals comprises exchangingaddress signals, data signals, and control signals over respective linescoupled between a processor and a DEAPROM memory device in a system;selecting a first memory cell comprises selecting a first memory cellfrom an array of memory cells in the DEAPROM memory device based on thesignals; causing charge to transfer further comprises writing data tothe first memory cell or erasing data from the first memory cell andcausing charge to transfer across a barrier energy between the floatinggate and the silicon dioxide insulator that is less than approximately3.3 eV by hot electron injection or Fowler-Nordheim tunneling to changea charge on the floating gate; coupling a first voltage furthercomprises coupling a ground voltage to an n+-type source region in asilicon substrate of the first memory cell when writing data to thefirst memory cell; coupling a second voltage further comprises couplinga write voltage to an n+-type drain region in the silicon substrate whenwriting data to the first memory cell; refreshing a charge on thefloating gate comprises refreshing a charge on the floating gate at aninterval that is shorter than a charge retention time of the floatinggate; selecting a second memory cell comprises selecting the firstmemory cell; reading the second memory cell comprises coupling a readvoltage to the control gate and detecting current conducted through thefirst memory cell; and further comprising: decoding an address of thefirst memory cell in a row decoder and a column decoder; controllingread, write, erase, and refresh operations in the DEAPROM memory devicein response to the control signals with a control circuit; and providingappropriate voltages to the array from a voltage control circuit.
 17. Amethod of operating a floating gate transistor comprising: coupling afirst voltage to a source region in a substrate of a floating gatetransistor; coupling a second voltage to a drain region in the substrateseparated from the source region by a channel region in the substrate;causing charge to transfer between the channel region and a floatinggate comprising gallium aluminum nitride (GaAlN) through an insulatorbetween the channel region and the floating gate; refreshing a charge onthe floating gate; and reading the floating gate transistor.
 18. Themethod of claim 17 wherein: causing charge to transfer further compriseswriting data to the floating gate transistor or erasing data from thefloating gate transistor and causing charge to transfer through asilicon dioxide insulator between the channel region and the floatinggate across a barrier energy between the floating gate and the silicondioxide insulator that is less than approximately 3.3 eV by hot electroninjection or Fowler-Nordheim tunneling to change a charge on thefloating gate; coupling a first voltage further comprises coupling aground voltage to an n+-type source region in a silicon substrate of thefloating gate transistor when writing data to the floating gatetransistor; coupling a second voltage further comprises coupling a writevoltage to an n+-type drain region in the silicon substrate when writingdata to the floating gate transistor; refreshing a charge on thefloating gate comprises refreshing a charge on the floating gate at aninterval that is shorter than a charge retention time of the floatinggate; reading the floating gate transistor comprises coupling a readvoltage to a control gate separated from the floating gate by anintergate dielectric and detecting current conducted through thefloating gate transistor; and further comprising coupling a controlvoltage to the control gate when writing data to the floating gatetransistor.
 19. A method of operating a floating gate transistorcomprising: coupling a first voltage to a source region in a substrateof a floating gate transistor; coupling a second voltage to a drainregion in the substrate separated from the source region by a channelregion in the substrate; causing charge to transfer between the channelregion and a floating gate comprising gallium aluminum nitride (GaAlN)through an insulator between the channel region and the floating gate bycoupling a control voltage to a control gate separated from the floatinggate by an intergate dielectric; refreshing a charge on the floatinggate; and reading the floating gate transistor.
 20. The method of claim19 wherein: causing charge to transfer further comprises writing data tothe floating gate transistor or erasing data from the floating gatetransistor and causing charge to transfer through a silicon dioxideinsulator between the channel region and the floating gate across abarrier energy between the floating gate and the silicon dioxideinsulator that is less than approximately 3.3 eV by hot electroninjection or Fowler-Nordheim tunneling to change a charge on thefloating gate; coupling a first voltage further comprises coupling aground voltage to an n+-type source region in a silicon substrate of thefloating gate transistor when writing data to the floating gatetransistor; coupling a second voltage further comprises coupling a writevoltage to an n+-type drain region in the silicon substrate when writingdata to the floating gate transistor; refreshing a charge on thefloating gate comprises refreshing a charge on the floating gate at aninterval that is shorter than a charge retention time of the floatinggate; and reading the floating gate transistor comprises coupling a readvoltage to the control gate and detecting current conducted through thefloating gate transistor.
 21. A method of operating a memory cellcomprising: coupling a first voltage to a source region in a substrateof a memory cell; coupling a second voltage to a drain region in thesubstrate separated from the source region by a channel region in thesubstrate; causing charge to transfer between the channel region and afloating gate comprising gallium aluminum nitride (GaAlN) through aninsulator between the channel region and the floating gate; refreshing acharge on the floating gate; and reading the memory cell.
 22. The methodof claim 21 wherein: causing charge to transfer further compriseswriting data to the memory cell or erasing data from the memory cell andcausing charge to transfer through a silicon dioxide insulator betweenthe channel region and the floating gate across a barrier energy betweenthe floating gate and the silicon dioxide insulator that is less thanapproximately 3.3 eV by hot electron injection or Fowler-Nordheimtunneling to change a charge on the floating gate; coupling a firstvoltage further comprises coupling a ground voltage to an n+-type sourceregion in a silicon substrate of the memory cell when writing data tothe memory cell; coupling a second voltage further comprises coupling awrite voltage to an n+-type drain region in the silicon substrate whenwriting data to the memory cell; refreshing a charge on the floatinggate comprises refreshing a charge on the floating gate at an intervalthat is shorter than a charge retention time of the floating gate;reading the memory cell comprises coupling a read voltage to a controlgate separated from the floating gate by an intergate dielectric anddetecting current conducted through the memory cell; and furthercomprising coupling a control voltage to the control gate when writingdata to the memory cell.
 23. A method of operating a memory cellcomprising: coupling a first voltage to a source region in a substrateof a memory cell; coupling a second voltage to a drain region in thesubstrate separated from the source region by a channel region in thesubstrate; causing charge to transfer between the channel region and afloating gate comprising gallium aluminum nitride (GaAlN) through aninsulator between the channel region and the floating gate by coupling acontrol voltage to a control gate separated from the floating gate by anintergate dielectric; refreshing a charge on the floating gate; andreading the memory cell.
 24. The method of claim 23 wherein: causingcharge to transfer further comprises writing data to the memory cell orerasing data from the memory cell and causing charge to transfer througha silicon dioxide insulator between the channel region and the floatinggate across a barrier energy between the floating gate and the silicondioxide insulator that is less than approximately 3.3 eV by hot electroninjection or Fowler-Nordheim tunneling to change a charge on thefloating gate; coupling a first voltage further comprises coupling aground voltage to an n+-type source region in a silicon substrate of thememory cell when writing data to the memory cell; coupling a secondvoltage further comprises coupling a write voltage to an n+-type drainregion in the silicon substrate when writing data to the memory cell;refreshing a charge on the floating gate comprises refreshing a chargeon the floating gate at an interval that is shorter than a chargeretention time of the floating gate; and reading the memory cellcomprises coupling a read voltage to the control gate and detectingcurrent conducted through the memory cell.
 25. A method of operating amemory device comprising: selecting a first memory cell from a pluralityof memory cells in a memory device; coupling a first voltage to a sourceregion in a substrate of the first memory cell; coupling a secondvoltage to a drain region in the substrate separated from the sourceregion by a channel region in the substrate; causing charge to transferbetween the channel region and a floating gate comprising galliumaluminum nitride (GaAlN) through an insulator between the channel regionand the floating gate, the floating gate being in the first memory cell;refreshing a charge on the floating gate; and selecting a second memorycell in the memory device and reading the second memory cell.
 26. Themethod of claim 25 wherein: selecting a first memory cell comprisesselecting a first memory cell from an array of memory cells in a DEAPROMmemory device; causing charge to transfer further comprises writing datato the first memory cell or erasing data from the first memory cell andcausing charge to transfer through a silicon dioxide insulator betweenthe channel region and the floating gate across a barrier energy betweenthe floating gate and the silicon dioxide insulator that is less thanapproximately 3.3 eV by hot electron injection or Fowler-Nordheimtunneling to change a charge on the floating gate; coupling a firstvoltage further comprises coupling a ground voltage to an n+-type sourceregion in a silicon substrate of the first memory cell when writing datato the first memory cell; coupling a second voltage further comprisescoupling a write voltage to an n+-type drain region in the siliconsubstrate when writing data to the first memory cell; refreshing acharge on the floating gate comprises refreshing a charge on thefloating gate at an interval that is shorter than a charge retentiontime of the floating gate; selecting a second memory cell comprisesselecting the first memory cell; reading the second memory cellcomprises coupling a read voltage to a control gate separated from thefloating gate by an intergate dielectric and detecting current conductedthrough the first memory cell; and further comprising: coupling acontrol voltage to the control gate when writing data to the firstmemory cell; decoding an address of the first memory cell in a rowdecoder and a column decoder; controlling read, write, erase, andrefresh operations in the DEAPROM memory device in response to controlsignals with a control circuit; and providing appropriate voltages tothe array from a voltage control circuit.
 27. A method of operating amemory device comprising: selecting a first memory cell from a pluralityof memory cells in a memory device; coupling a first voltage to a sourceregion in a substrate of the first memory cell; coupling a secondvoltage to a drain region in the substrate separated from the sourceregion by a channel region in the substrate; causing charge to transferbetween the channel region and a floating gate comprising galliumaluminum nitride (GaAlN) through an insulator between the channel regionand the floating gate by coupling a control voltage to a control gateseparated from the floating gate by an intergate dielectric, thefloating gate and the control gate being in the first memory cell;refreshing a charge on the floating gate; and selecting a second memorycell in the memory device and reading the second memory cell.
 28. Themethod of claim 27 wherein: selecting a first memory cell comprisesselecting a first memory cell from an array of memory cells in a DEAPROMmemory device; causing charge to transfer further comprises writing datato the first memory cell or erasing data from the first memory cell andcausing charge to transfer through a silicon dioxide insulator betweenthe channel region and the floating gate across a barrier energy betweenthe floating gate and the silicon dioxide insulator that is less thanapproximately 3.3 eV by hot electron injection or Fowler-Nordheimtunneling to change a charge on the floating gate; coupling a firstvoltage further comprises coupling a ground voltage to an n+-type sourceregion in a silicon substrate of the first memory cell when writing datato the first memory cell; coupling a second voltage further comprisescoupling a write voltage to an n+-type drain region in the siliconsubstrate when writing data to the first memory cell; refreshing acharge on the floating gate comprises refreshing a charge on thefloating gate at an interval that is shorter than a charge retentiontime of the floating gate; selecting a second memory cell comprisesselecting the first memory cell; reading the second memory cellcomprises coupling a read voltage to the control gate and detectingcurrent conducted through the first memory cell; and further comprising:decoding an address of the first memory cell in a row decoder and acolumn decoder; controlling read, write, erase, and refresh operationsin the DEAPROM memory device in response to control signals with acontrol circuit; and providing appropriate voltages to the array from avoltage control circuit.
 29. A method of operating a system comprising:exchanging signals between a processor and a memory device in a system;selecting a first memory cell from a plurality of memory cells in thememory device based on the signals; coupling a first voltage to a sourceregion in a substrate of the first memory cell; coupling a secondvoltage to a drain region in the substrate separated from the sourceregion by a channel region in the substrate; causing charge to transferbetween the channel region and a floating gate comprising galliumaluminum nitride (GaAlN) through an insulator between the channel regionand the floating gate, the floating gate being in the first memory cell;refreshing a charge on the floating gate; and selecting a second memorycell in the memory device and reading the second memory cell.
 30. Themethod of claim 29 wherein: exchanging signals comprises exchangingaddress signals, data signals, and control signals over respective linescoupled between a processor and a DEAPROM memory device in a system;selecting a first memory cell comprises selecting a first memory cellfrom an array of memory cells in the DEAPROM memory device based on thesignals; causing charge to transfer further comprises writing data tothe first memory cell or erasing data from the first memory cell andcausing charge to transfer through a silicon dioxide insulator betweenthe channel region and the floating gate across a barrier energy betweenthe floating gate and the silicon dioxide insulator that is less thanapproximately 3.3 eV by hot electron injection or Fowler-Nordheimtunneling to change a charge on the floating gate; coupling a firstvoltage further comprises coupling a ground voltage to an n+-type sourceregion in a silicon substrate of the first memory cell when writing datato the first memory cell; coupling a second voltage further comprisescoupling a write voltage to an n+-type drain region in the siliconsubstrate when writing data to the first memory cell; refreshing acharge on the floating gate comprises refreshing a charge on thefloating gate at an interval that is shorter than a charge retentiontime of the floating gate; selecting a second memory cell comprisesselecting the first memory cell; reading the second memory cellcomprises coupling a read voltage to a control gate separated from thefloating gate by an intergate dielectric and detecting current conductedthrough the first memory cell; and further comprising: coupling acontrol voltage to the control gate when writing data to the firstmemory cell; decoding an address of the first memory cell in a rowdecoder and a column decoder; controlling read, write, erase, andrefresh operations in the DEAPROM memory device in response to thecontrol signals with a control circuit; and providing appropriatevoltages to the array from a voltage control circuit.
 31. A method ofoperating a system comprising: exchanging signals between a processorand a memory device in a system; selecting a first memory cell from aplurality of memory cells in the memory device based on the signals;coupling a first voltage to a source region in a substrate of the firstmemory cell; coupling a second voltage to a drain region in thesubstrate separated from the source region by a channel region in thesubstrate; causing charge to transfer between the channel region and afloating gate comprising gallium aluminum nitride (GaAlN) through aninsulator between the channel region and the floating gate by coupling acontrol voltage to a control gate separated from the floating gate by anintergate dielectric, the floating gate and the control gate being inthe first memory cell; refreshing a charge on the floating gate; andselecting a second memory cell in the memory device and reading thesecond memory cell.
 32. The method of claim 31 wherein: exchangingsignals comprises exchanging address signals, data signals, and controlsignals over respective lines coupled between a processor and a DEAPROMmemory device in a system; selecting a first memory cell comprisesselecting a first memory cell from an array of memory cells in theDEAPROM memory device based on the signals; causing charge to transferfurther comprises writing data to the first memory cell or erasing datafrom the first memory cell and causing charge to transfer through asilicon dioxide insulator between the channel region and the floatinggate across a barrier energy between the floating gate and the silicondioxide insulator that is less than approximately 3.3 eV by hot electroninjection or Fowler-Nordheim tunneling to change a charge on thefloating gate; coupling a first voltage further comprises coupling aground voltage to an n+-type source region in a silicon substrate of thefirst memory cell when writing data to the first memory cell; coupling asecond voltage further comprises coupling a write voltage to an n+-typedrain region in the silicon substrate when writing data to the firstmemory cell; refreshing a charge on the floating gate comprisesrefreshing a charge on the floating gate at an interval that is shorterthan a charge retention time of the floating gate; selecting a secondmemory cell comprises selecting the first memory cell; reading thesecond memory cell comprises coupling a read voltage to the control gateand detecting current conducted through the first memory cell; andfurther comprising: decoding an address of the first memory cell in arow decoder and a column decoder; controlling read, write, erase, andrefresh operations in the DEAPROM memory device in response to thecontrol signals with a control circuit; and providing appropriatevoltages to the array from a voltage control circuit.